Chicago Broadcasting Network

A well written, nicely performed, thought provoking play that might have you considering how much control parents are entitled to have when it comes to ideas that might be considered controversial to some and how much we are willing to sacrifice for our cause.
The world premiere of Adirondack Chair Circle is at Steppenwolf Theatre, in Chicago through December 13, 2026. For tickets and information visit steppenwolf.org or call the Box Office at (312) 335-1650.

Podcast theater review by Reno Lovison.

City Lit Theater Company is offering a most powerful presentation of King Hedley II directed by Manny Buckley. The play by August Wilson’s is aimed at providing a portrait of African American life across the 20th Century.  His words come alive in the mouths of this terrific cast. It’s as though you are sitting on your own back porch across the courtyard watching this drama unfold. Listen to the complete podcast theater review.

“Sunday in the Park with George” is presented by Kokandy Productions at the Chopin Theater’s Downstairs Studio, 1543 W. Division Street, Chicago, IL through November 1, 2026. Runtime is 2.5 hours with one 15-minute intermission. For tickets and information visit kokandyproductions.com 

Ultimately Lapine and Sondheim’s opus is a theatrical tour de force with perhaps a few hiccups. It’s known to be a favorite among sophisticated theater goers who are open to experiencing a challenging score -- in this case performed terrifically with great vocals and instrumentation.  If you love Sondheim, you’ll love this.

Chicago theater review by Reno Lovison ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com --
Recommended.

West Side Story presented at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts by Music Theater Works in Skokie, IL (Chicago suburb) is a recommended, enjoyable, solid production at a great venue with strong musical and dance performances all around.

Listen to this podcast theater review by Reno Lovison to learn more about the history and intent of this now classic Bernstein and Sondheim production.

HAIR The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical - - is it a nostalgic romp or does it have relevance to a contemporary audience? Whether you intend to see this production or just want to know more about this historically pivotal musical I think you might find this theater review and commentary interesting and useful.

Have you ever heard the name or term Scaramouche? Maybe you remember it in the bohemian rhapsody or maybe you’ve seen the 1952 film? This may not have the scale of many modern blockbusters and might seem a bit old-school to some but this world premiere musical by Kingsley Day is a well-conceived, well written production with a good balance of drama and humor that includes thoughtful and approachable music and lyrics all wrapped in an interesting story. Highly recommended. Scaramoucheis presented by City Lit Theater Company, Chicago. Visit citylit.org for tickets and information.

The challenge of Putting a Price on Loss. A widowed father is informed that his child has been killed during a protest, forcing him to consider whether a cash settlement can possibly soothe his grief – in the process, we witness how public institutions and policies, in an attempt to remain impartial, reduce tragedy to a transaction that ignores the emotional needs of individuals. The world premier of WINDFALL at Steppenwolf Chicago.

Montrose Beach in Chicago was raised from landfill. Cricket Hill has a surprising origin story. The Dock was once a Cold War command center and the quiet bird sanctuary nearby grew out of land that once held radar towers and housed military personnel. Montrose Harbor is a reminder that places evolve, they carry layers of history — some visible, some buried, some forgotten — and all of them shape the way we experience Chicago today. That’s what I like to think about when I’m walking around the city. How every part of our city has a story if you pause long enough to notice.

#nike #missils #coldwar #cricket #birdsanctuary #migratory #birdwatching #chicagoskyline #chicago #beach #harbor

Set circa 1927 -- at the height of the Great Migration, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is rooted in personal trauma, systemic racism and economic exploitation.

Ma Rainey is the leading artist of a struggling Chicago based blues label..Four of her backing musicians sitting in a rehearsal hall of the recording studio examine their lives while waiting for the prima donna to perform. In true blues tradition each man reveals his inner self through storytelling.

In the process there is a good amount of convivial, often dark, humor born of a recognition of similar life experiences and a mutual understanding of shared pain. 

Theater review and insight by Reno Lovison ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com

Journey to 1850s Dublin where faith, repression, and desire intersect. 

When a formerly enslaved African‑American woman and her companion arrive for a ten‑week stay, their presence disrupts the household’s carefully maintained façade. What follows is a revealing examination of integrity, sexual power, and the quiet bargains people make to reconcile their beliefs with their actions.

This U.S. premiere production of The Sugar Wife written by Elizabeth Kuti, presented by Artistic Home at Theater Wit offers a rich meditation on renewal, moral struggle, within the complex social expectations of the 19th century.

Standout performances from Annie Hogan, Todd Wojcik, Ashayla Calvin, John LaFlamboy, and Kristin Collins, guided by the sensitive and intimate direction of Kevin Hagan.

Review and commentary by Reno Lovison ChicagoBroadcatingNetwork.com


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